New York City is a city that is full of endless things to do, see, and eat. It is one of the biggest, most diverse, and most lively cities in the world. It is also one of the most important global cities and has a big impact on various industries such as fashion, entertainment, technology, art, and education. This type of atmosphere attracts the attention of people from all over the world. In fact, about 250,000 people move to New York every year. If you’re considering a move to New York, there are five things you should know before you pack your bags.
Photo by Andrés Nieto Porras (CC BY-SA 2.0)
1. Put Some Time And Effort Into Choosing Your Neighborhood
Every city has various neighborhoods that have their own distinct atmosphere and reputation, and New York is no different. New York is so big and diverse that each different neighborhood or borough is like its own city. Before you make the big move to New York, you want to take some time to choose your neighborhood wisely. If you have a family or are looking for a quieter life, the Upper West Side could be for you. Younger people often gravitate toward the eastern neighborhoods of East Village, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village. You can check out the neighborhood guides here on RentHop to learn more about the neighborhood options in the city.
2. Prepare For The Noise
There is a reason why New York has been dubbed the city that never sleeps. Throughout the day and night, various activities take place in the city. As a result, it never gets quite as quiet as you may have been used to in your hometown or the city you lived in before coming to New York. Things like honking horns, jackhammers, and sirens are common and make silence a very rare commodity in the Big Apple. Soon enough, you’ll get accustomed to the constant noise and maybe even begin to appreciate it. It is important that you prepare yourself for those first few days or weeks of living there. It’s likely it won’t be like your quiet street back home.
Additionally, some neighborhoods are noisier than others. Think twice before calling the cops on your neighbors for a late party or loud music. Keep the peace in the neighborhood you move to!
3. Get Ready To Spend A Lot Of Money
While people know that New York is expensive and competitive, some people do not understand the extent to which this goes. Rent can fluctuate, but it is generally anywhere from around $2500 (for basically a closet) to thousands and thousands of dollars for bigger apartments. The average rent typically runs around $4,500. In addition to the high cost of rent, the market is very competitive, with only about 2% of places having vacancies, which means you might end up spending more.
Unless you are already very wealthy and established, living with roommates is almost a must in New York City. In addition to rent, other costs of living such as food, amenities, and such will also likely run you quite a bit of cash. However, if you ask a lot of the people who live there, the higher cost of living is absolutely worth the fact that you get to experience life in one of the best and brightest cities on the planet.
4. People May Not Be As Outwardly Friendly As Where You Came From
Now, this isn’t a knock on people from New York. Hundreds of thousands of people walk down New York streets or sit on the subway without looking at each other. This may lead to a big case of culture shock for a person who came from a place where everyone smiles, waves or says good morning. Now, New Yorkers aren’t like this because they’re rude; it’s just the way things are there and have been for years. Some believe it occurs because everyone is so cramped and surrounded by people all the time, which makes they become fed up with it.
In your smaller and more sparsely populated city, walking by someone may only happen every few minutes. In NYC, you’ll pass hundreds of people a minute during rush hour. Take a deep breath, walk at the pace of the crowd, or stay to the right if you need to move at a slower speed or are unfamiliar with your surroundings.
5. You Will Have To Change Your Transportation Plans
If you come from almost anywhere else in the country other than the crammed northeast, you are likely used to getting around everywhere by driving. However, in New York, this isn’t really a viable option. Parking spots can often run you hundreds of dollars a month, and the constant traffic in the city can make getting from point A to point B an absolute nightmare.
Thankfully, New York City is one of the best and easiest places on the world to get around without a vehicle. There are many options like walking, taking the subway, getting a taxi and more that all have their own pros and cons. The best option is to try each one and see which one works best for your life and schedule. Thousands of people take the subway, and you can rent city bikes to get around and get some exercise. It may feel bizarre to not own a car in the city, but you’ll save money (that you can put toward the high cost of rent).
Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability.
